At the beginning of the year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Department of Health and Human Services released its most recent dietary guidelines. Issued every five years, the report underscores the relationship between agriculture and healthy foods.

“America’s farmers and ranchers are proud to produce an abundant, nutritious and affordable food supply for our fellow citizens and the world. We believe the 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans provide a useful framework for Americans to make healthy choices for themselves and their families,” said Bob Stallman, president of the American Farm Bureau Federation.

As before, the guidelines call for eating a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, seafood, lean meats, nuts, legumes and low-fat or fat-free dairy products. The biggest shift from previous federal guidelines, which focused on individual nutrients, are new recommendations that emphasize the importance of healthy eating patterns.

According to the AFBF, takeaways from the guidelines include the following: • Follow a healthy eating pattern across your lifespan. All food and beverage choices matter. Choose a healthy eating pattern at an appropriate calorie level to achieve and maintain a healthy body weight, support nutrient adequacy and reduce the risk of chronic disease.

• Focus on variety, nutrient density and amount. To meet nutrient needs within calorie limits, choose a variety of nutrient-dense foods across and within all food groups in recommended amounts.

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Augusta Free Press launched in 2002. The site serves as a portal into life in the Shenandoah Valley and Central Virginia – in a region encompassing Augusta County, Albemarle County and Nelson County and the cities of Charlottesville, Staunton and Waynesboro, at the entrance to the Blue Ridge Parkway, Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park and the Appalachian Trail.